It was my second time at this exclusive resort in douro Valley — it’s never too much to say that this region in the north of Portugal (90 minute drive from Porto) is worldwide famous by the wines and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its unique landscape — since it started being managed by the Asian company Six Senses.

For those you have missed my previous experience, fell free to read about it here. New for 2017, Six Senses Douro Valley is hosting four-night Stress Free retreats — more and more people are looking for stress-reduction holidays which combine educational workshops on managing stress with yoga, meditation and mindfulness — conducted by Toby Maguire, founder and managing director of Working in Balance.

I was invited to join them in March — next retreats from the 5th to 9th November and from the 12th to 16th November (read more) — and, despite my initial reluctance, I admit, it was quite fulfilling.

Nevertheless, today I’m sharing a special tip about this property: usually guests are all eyes to their outdoor pool, which I love, but they also have an amazing heated indoor pool with water jets. It’s part of their spa (all treatments start with the Tibetan bowl rite), so you don’t need to be a guest at the hotel to book a massage or a facial there and gain access to this pool.